Paul Warren is the owner and director of the Raleigh Music Academy, LLC. He has been instructing guitar since 1990. He has studied guitar and music theory on a University level and has performed in numerous bands and has taught clinics, group classes, as well as private lessons. He teaches chording, theory, improvisation, technique development and more while specializing in rock, pop and metal. He is a founding member of the rock band Infinite Eve. He is happy to endorse Ernie Ball electric and nylon strings, Jim Dunlop guitar picks, Dimarzio pickups and straps, Xotic Pedals, and Port City guitar cabinets.

This honor graduate of Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, Ca. has over sixteen years experience as a formally trained music instructor. He teaches guitar and bass to students ranging from children to adults, from beginners to advanced players. Robert’s teaching style combines formal training with his experience of more than 20 years as a professional touring musician, playing a wide variety of musical styles including Rock, Blues, Country, and various Acoustic styles.

Robert’s private lessons are tailored to each student’s individual needs. Instructional materials are provided as part of his lesson package. The play-along CDs or tapes for home practice included in this package are custom-recorded for each individual student.

Chris Bodall obtained his Bachelor of Science in Music Industry Studies from Appalachian State University and has been writing and recording his own music for almost 20 years. Having taught all ages at a variety of skill levels for over 15 years, he especially enjoys teaching rock, music theory, and music production / songwriting. His attention to detail allows him to carefully instruct students on technique. Chris provides a foundation of general musical knowledge while tailoring the lesson to the student’s interests. When he is not teaching, Chris has a home recording studio where he records music, voiceover, and audiobooks.

Hank Smith

Banjo, guitar, mandolin instructor

Growing up in rural Florence, SC–where summer heat indices top 120 degrees–a teenaged Hank Smith could only find respite by locking himself up in his room and playing banjo for hours and hours. Here he readily consumed and thrived on a diet of banjo music from a variety of sources. Making its home in a nearby state park, the Southeastern Bluegrass Assoc. would meet the first Saturday of every month for a jam and concert. Hank attended these local meetings and by hiding in the back of jam groups, watching fingers, and listening for changes, he figured out how to operate the instrument that was to be his lifeblood. After a year and a half, Hank went to college at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC where, finding no one with whom to play bluegrass, he instead discovered a diverse community of musicians with a far reaching body of influence and absorbed all manner of rock, jazz, reggae, folk, blues, classical and anything in between. In that time, he earned a BA and eventually an MA in Middle Eastern History. Upon earning his MA, he went on tour full-time with Raleigh, NC jamgrass juggernaut, Barefoot Manner. Hank toured the country extensively with Barefoot Manner until the band left the road in 2009, and he has since played in a variety of projects such as The Hotwires, The Kickin Grass Band, and No Strings Attached. Currently, he plays and tours with duo partner: Lindsey Tims, original band: Morning After Music, and the world’s first and only tribute to Bela Fleck & the Flecktones: Blu-Bop. Hank continues to train an army of banjo students and will soon unleash them upon the world…when no one expects it.

To see Hank performing banjo, click the following Youtube links:

Mary Ann Madison

Guitar instructor

Mary Ann Madison teaches private and duet guitar classes. She’s sensitive and resourceful to the needs, goals, and interests of every student, from young beginners to adults. She believes that learning to play guitar should be fun and stimulate creativity. Musicianship skills are developed with a logical and structured course of study, enabling students to become proficient in solo playing, chord accompaniment, and chord-melody styles. Mary Ann has numerous copyrights on original compositions ranging in style from country, blues, rock, and folk. Currently she’s working on a recording project of her songs.

Alain Tartevet

Piano, keyboard and music production instructor

Alain has more than 40 years of experience in the music industry from music recording to sound engineering.
He has been a music teacher sponsored by Yamaha Music France and a product demonstrator for RSF and Korg synthesizers.
He teaches beginners and advanced beginners, young and adults.
After touring in Europe, Alain started writing and recording music for various artists, movies, TV commercials, documentaries and companies like IBM-Lucent and Paris Airports. He also produces his own music albums.

Ron Thal – Bumblefoot

Honorary RMA instructor

Before joining Guns-N_Roses, Ron Thal became a regular guest instructor at the RMA and visited periodically to do clinics, workshops and performances. He has been a valuable consultant and mentor to our academy. To be informed of his next appearance at the RMA, please make sure to sign up for our email list on the events page.